Dynamic packager network based ABR media distribution and delivery

ABSTRACT

A method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for distributing ABR media in a network are disclosed. The method includes determining, based on a media routing database and a constraint associated with an ABR media element, a best packager of a plurality of packagers to perform a packaging function on the ABR media element and initiating routing of the ABR media element to the best packager.

PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) & 37 C.F.R. § 1.78

This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the followingprior United States provisional patent application(s): (i) “DYNAMICPACKAGER NETWORK BASED ABR MEDIA DISTRIBUTION AND DELIVERY,” ApplicationNo. 62/149,153, filed Apr. 17, 2015, in the name(s) of Raj Nair andPrabu Navali; which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to communication networks. Moreparticularly, and not by way of any limitation, the present disclosureis directed to a system and method for providing dynamic packagernetwork based adaptive bitrate (ABR) media distribution and delivery ina network environment.

BACKGROUND

Content providers have long struggled with how to provide content at ahigh availability and high performance to their customers in view ofbandwidth limitations in content distribution networks. A ContentDelivery Network (CDN) can be a large distributed system of serversdeployed in multiple data centers connected to the Internet or otherpublic/private communication network. The goal of a CDN is to servemedia content (e.g., video/audio/etc.) to User Equipment nodes (UEs)with high availability and high performance. Example UEs that canreceive media content are set-top boxes, television, multimediacomputers, and wireless terminals (e.g., smartphones and tabletcomputers).

The bandwidth requirements for distributing content from contentproviders to central CDN servers and/or to distributed Edge replicationservers have grown tremendously with the proliferation of adaptivestreaming content delivery solutions. Adaptive streaming technology isbeing implemented to handle increasing consumer demands for streamingcontent from Over The Top (OTT) applications on OTT content servers(e.g., broadcast and on demand movies/TV, etc.) across one or more CDNsto UEs having widely differing performance and protocols. Exampleadaptive streaming technology that continues to be developed includesApple initiated HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) protocol, Microsoft initiatedSmooth Streaming (SS) over HTTP protocol, Adobe initiated DynamicStreaming protocol, MPEG Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEGDASH) protocol, etc. Further developments are needed to allow media tobe distributed widely at the lowest cost in bandwidth and resources.

SUMMARY

The present patent disclosure is broadly directed to systems, methods,and associated non-transitory computer-readable media for facilitatingoptimized ABR media distribution and delivery. The disclosed system andmethod combine peer-to-peer sharing of content and dynamic adaptivemedia distribution with the control mechanisms to ensure thatrequirements such as licensing, quality of service (QoS), businessconstraints, etc. are met while spreading the workload across thenetwork. Peer-to-peer sharing of ABR media allows any packager in thecore network to ingest ABR media and to distribute both that ABR mediaand ABR media ingested at other packagers. The distribution iscontrolled by a common entitlement system that propagates theentitlement controls from the primary origins to the remote origins,potentially passing through intermediate nodes. Dynamic adaptive mediadistribution allows resources to be optimized as requirements on thesystem evolve. Adaptive distribution allows the ability to instantiatenew packager nodes, to dynamically change which packagers are providingspecific media, and to adapt routing on the fly to meet changingcustomer demands.

In order to provide control over the dynamic nature of the network, aService Manifest (SM) is provided by a Service Manifest Controller (SMC)to a network of packagers that share the packaging workload. The ServiceManifest provides constraints that direct operations related to routing,packaging, delivery, content protection, entitlements, etc., allowingVideo on Demand (VoD) and channels to be served from one or more networknodes determined to be optimal at providing packaging within theprovided constraints. Media may be packaged close to a local regionwhere the media is consumed.

In one aspect, an embodiment of a method for distributing ABR media in anetwork is disclosed. The method comprises, inter alia, determining,based on a media routing database and a constraint associated with anABR media element, a best packager of a plurality of packagers toperform a packaging function on the ABR media element; and; initiatingrouting of the ABR media element to the best packager.

In a related aspect, an embodiment of a system for distributing ABRmedia is disclosed. The system is configured, inter alia, to determine abest packager of a plurality of packagers to package an ABR mediaelement based on a media routing database and a constraint associatedwith the ABR media element; and initiate routing of the ABR mediaelement to the best packager.

In a further related aspect, an embodiment of a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having a sequence of program instructionswhich, when executed by a processor, perform a method of distributingABR media in a network is disclosed. The method executed includes, interalia, determining, based on a media routing database and a constraintassociated with an ABR media element, a best packager of a plurality ofpackagers to package the ABR media element; and initiating routing ofthe ABR media element to the best packager.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example,and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanyingdrawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It shouldbe noted that different references to “an” or “one” embodiment in thisdisclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and suchreferences may mean at least one. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and form a part of thespecification to illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Various advantages and features of the disclosurewill be understood from the following Detailed Description taken inconnection with the appended claims and with reference to the attacheddrawing Figures in which:

FIG. 1A depicts a generalized media network in which the disclosedembodiments can operate;

FIG. 1B depicts a functional view of the architecture for a medianetwork in which the disclosed embodiments can operate;

FIG. 2 depicts a network of packagers operating in a peer-to-peerrelationship and a network of service manifest controllers associatedtherewith according to an embodiment of the present patent disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts an example of the network structures used to delivermedia to a client according to an embodiment of the present patentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of the format for a service manifest accordingto an embodiment of the present patent disclosure;

FIG. 5A depicts an example of a network using push distributionaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5B depicts an example of a network using pull distributionaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIGS. 6A-6L depict a flowchart for a method for distributing ABR mediain a network according to an embodiment of the present patentdisclosure;

FIGS. 7A-7M depict a flowchart for a method for distributing ABR mediain a network according to an embodiment of the present patentdisclosure;

FIGS. 8A-8B depict networks for distributing ABR media in a networkaccording to the known art; and

FIG. 9 depicts a network for distributing ABR media according to theknown art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forthwith respect to one or more embodiments of the present patentdisclosure. However, it should be understood that one or moreembodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In otherinstances, well-known hardware/software subsystems, components,structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not toobscure the understanding of the example embodiments. Accordingly, itwill be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the embodiments ofthe present disclosure may be practiced without having to reference oneor more such specific components. It should be further recognized thatthose of ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the DetailedDescription set forth herein and taking reference to the accompanyingdrawings, will be able to make and use one or more embodiments withoutundue experimentation.

Additionally, terms such as “coupled” and “connected,” along with theirderivatives, may be used in the following description, claims, or both.It should be understood that these terms are not necessarily intended assynonyms for each other. “Coupled” may be used to indicate that two ormore elements, which may or may not be in direct physical or electricalcontact with each other, co-operate or interact with each other.“Connected” may be used to indicate the establishment of communication,i.e., a communicative relationship, between two or more elements thatare coupled with each other. Further, in one or more example embodimentsset forth herein, generally speaking, an element, component or modulemay be configured to perform a function if the element is capable ofperforming or otherwise structurally arranged to perform that function.

As used herein, a network element or node may be comprised of one ormore pieces of service network equipment, including hardware andsoftware that communicatively interconnects other equipment on a network(e.g., other network elements, end stations, etc.), and is adapted tohost one or more applications or services, either in a virtualized ornon-virtualized environment, with respect to a plurality of subscribersand associated user equipment that are operative to receive/consumecontent in a network infrastructure adapted for streaming media contentusing one or more of a variety of access networks, transmissiontechnologies, architectures, streaming protocols, etc. As such, somenetwork elements may be disposed in a wireless radio network environmentwhereas other network elements may be disposed in a publicpacket-switched network infrastructure, including or otherwise involvingsuitable content delivery network (CDN) infrastructure. Further,suitable network elements operative with one or more embodiments setforth herein may involve terrestrial and/or satellite broadband deliveryinfrastructures, e.g., a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) architecture, aData Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS)-compliant CableModem Termination System (CMTS) architecture, a suitable satelliteaccess network architecture or a broadband wireless access networkarchitecture, and the like. Additionally, some network elements incertain embodiments may comprise “multiple services network elements”that provide support for multiple network-based functions (e.g., A/Vmedia delivery policy management, session control, QoS policyenforcement, bandwidth scheduling management, subscriber/device policyand profile management, content provider priority policy management,streaming policy management, and the like), in addition to providingsupport for multiple application services (e.g., data and multimediaapplications). Example subscriber end stations or client devices maycomprise a variety of content recording, rendering, and/or consumptiondevices operative to receive media content using a plurality of mediadelivery or streaming technologies. Accordingly, such client devices mayinclude set-top boxes (STBs), networked TVs, personal/digital videorecorders (PVR/DVRs), networked media projectors, portable laptops,netbooks, palm tops, tablets, smartphones, multimedia/video phones,mobile/wireless user equipment, portable media players, portable gamingsystems or consoles (such as the Wii®, Play Station 3®, etc.) and thelike, which may access or consume content/services provided via asuitable high speed broadband connection in combination with one or moreembodiments set forth herein.

One or more embodiments of the present patent disclosure may beimplemented using different combinations of software, firmware, and/orhardware. Thus, one or more of the techniques shown in the Figures(e.g., flowcharts) may be implemented using code and data stored andexecuted on one or more electronic devices or nodes (e.g., a subscriberclient device or end station, a network element, etc.). Such electronicdevices may store and communicate (internally and/or with otherelectronic devices over a network) code and data using computer-readablemedia, such as non-transitory computer-readable storage media (e.g.,magnetic disks, optical disks, random access memory, read-only memory,flash memory devices, phase-change memory, etc.), transitorycomputer-readable transmission media (e.g., electrical, optical,acoustical or other form of propagated signals—such as carrier waves,infrared signals, digital signals), etc. In addition, such networkelements may typically include a set of one or more processors coupledto one or more other components, such as one or more storage devices(e.g., non-transitory machine-readable storage media) as well as storagedatabase(s), user input/output devices (e.g., a keyboard, a touchscreen, a pointing device, and/or a display), and network connectionsfor effectuating signaling and/or bearer media transmission. Thecoupling of the set of processors and other components may be typicallythrough one or more buses and bridges (also termed as bus controllers),arranged in any known (e.g., symmetric/shared multiprocessing) orheretofore unknown architectures. Thus, the storage device or componentof a given electronic device or network element may be configured tostore code and/or data for execution on one or more processors of thatelement, node or electronic device for purposes of implementing one ormore techniques of the present disclosure.

Adaptive streaming technology converts a source media content streaminto a plurality of content streams having different coding bit rates. Agroup of multiple bit rate content streams may be transcoded to providea plurality of groups of multiple bit rate content streams havingdifferent distribution container formats that can be required bydifferent streaming protocols used by UEs (e.g., HLS protocol, SmoothStreaming protocol, Dynamic Streaming protocol, MPEG DASH protocol,etc.). Accordingly, a single group of multiple bitrate content streamscan result in numerous groups of differently formatted multiple bit ratecontent streams that need to be distributed and stored at a central CDNserver and/or distributed to Edge replication servers to enable highavailability and high performance delivery to many different types ofUEs.

An example adaptive streaming server system may be configured to acceptmedia content from live sources and/or static file sources, e.g., onlinecontent providers such as Hulu®, Netflix®, YouTube®, or Amazon® Prime,etc. Media content from live sources may comprise live programmingcaptured relative to any type of event, e.g.,sporting/entertainment/gaming events, concerts, live TV shows, live newsbroadcasting, etc. In general operation, the example streaming serversystem may be configured, under the control of one or more processorsexecuting appropriate program code stored in a persistent memory module,to effectuate adaptive streaming of content as follows. Initially,source media content is transcoded or otherwise encoded with differentbit rates (e.g., multi-rate transcoding) using applicable encoder(s).For example, content of a particular program may be transcoded into fivevideo files using variable bit rates (or, synonymously “bitrates” or“resolutions”), ranging from low to high bit rates (500 Kbps to 10 Mbps,by way of illustration). The particular content is therefore encoded asfive different “versions” or “formats”, wherein each bitrate is called aprofile or representation. A segmentation server or Segmenter isoperative to divide each version of the encoded media content into fixedduration segments or chunks, which are typically between two and tenseconds in duration, thereby generating a plurality of chunk streams.One skilled in the art will recognize that shorter segments may reducecoding efficiency whereas larger segments may impact the adaptability tochanges in network throughput and/or fast changing client behavior.Regardless of the chunk size, the segments may be Group-of-Pictures(GOP)-aligned such that all encoding profiles have the same segments.One or more suitable metadata files referred to as Manifest Files arethen created that describe the encoding rates and Uniform ResourceLocator (URL) pointers relative to the various segments of encodedcontent. Media segments may therefore be packaged based on applicablestreaming protocols for delivery/distribution. It should be appreciatedthat traditional architectures do not provide adaptation of media orcontent channels to different regions, capacity, network load and otherconstraints.

As will be seen below, content may be delivered using either multicastABR techniques or unicast ABR techniques. In a unicast delivery, asubscribing receiver may be provided with a direct and unique two-waypath through the delivery network all the way back to a serving mediaserver supplying the required data stream. The main streaming activityis managed on a one-to-one basis between the receiver and the sourceserver in a communication session. The network between the source serverand receiver may typically comprise a series of intermediate serversinstalled at network nodes, which may not be directly involved in theservice but only support the transfer of a packet stream. Typically, theprotocols used to support the transmissions are simple forms of InternetProtocol (IP) itself augmented by one or more higher-layer protocols toprovide flow control. These protocols extend across the span of the linkbetween the source server and a given receiver.

A unicast system can support ABR streaming, which allows some form ofrate adaptation. A given service may be encoded at a selection ofdifferent bitrates (known as representations), with synchronisedboundary points at defined locations (e.g., every 50 frames). For eachrepresentation, content between successive boundary points is convertedinto a discrete file. Clients fetch a segment of one of therepresentations in turn. If a higher or a lower bit rate is required,the next segment is fetched from one of the other representations. Thesegments are constructed such that there is no discontinuity in decodedpictures/audio if the client switches between representations at theboundary points. This system may require a unicast two-way path betweensource and receiver to request files and deliver the requested files.

Multicast delivery makes more efficient use of bandwidth by sharingcontent streams among several receivers. Intermediate network elements(e.g., routers or switches) are now more closely involved in the servicedelivery such that some control and management functions are delegatedfrom the source server. This control is supported by more extensiveprotocols devised for this type of application such as ProtocolIndependent Multicast (PIM) and Internet Group Multicast Protocol(IGMP). When a new receiver requests a given media item, the networkrouter system finds an existing stream of that content already in thenetwork and directs a copy of it to that new receiver from a servingcable headend or an appropriately proximal network node in an edgedistribution network. The requesting receiver may be provided with thecapability to join this existing stream under controlled conditions thatdo not adversely affect existing receivers. Any receiver in this groupmay also be able to leave the stream or to pause in consumption withoutaffecting the others. Additionally, there may be an implementation wherea video pipe delivering services to a premises is operative to delivercontent to one or more progressive download ABR clients of the premisesthat are designed to receive the video in bursts.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 8A, depictedtherein is an example of a traditional packaging model 800. BroadcastEncoder 802 provides a media stream 803 to Transcoder/Packager 804.Media stream 803 is encoded in an MPEG-TS format containing a singlebitrate. The transcoder portion of Transcoder/Packager 804 takes theMPEG-TS stream and produces multiple bitrate levels. The packagerportion of Transcoder/Packager 804 then encapsulates the media inappropriate containers based on applicable streaming protocols, such asDASH, HLS, SS, etc. The resulting ABR media stream 807 and clientmanifest 805 are provided, e.g., to Origin 806 in desired formats, hereshown as HLS, SS and DASH. Origin 806 may be an edge node or a higherlevel content distribution node in a CDN and is accessible by a clientto receive the desired media. This centralized data center deploymentmodel can use public or private CDNs and encompasses a limited user setwith fixed channels and VoD media configuration, i.e., all clientsreceive channels or media catalog having identical content. Transcoderand packager resources 804 are manually provisioned and there can be noadaptation of media or channels to meet differing needs in regions,capacity, network load, etc.

FIG. 8B provides a similar packaging model 800B for MulticastMulti-Bitrate (MBR) Adaptive Transport Stream (ATS) data. MBR ATSEncoder 812 receives an MPEG-TS stream and again provides a singlebitrate multicast MBR ATS stream to Transcoder and Packager 814. Inaddition, MBR ATS Encoder 812 also provides Stream Manifest 815 toTranscoder and Packager 814. Stream Manifest 815 controls transportationof the ATS between MBR ATS Encoder 812 and Transcoder and Packager 814and provides information regarding the nature of the multicast stream,e.g., identifying Encoder Boundary Points (EBP). Transcoder and Packager814 then provides media segments 819 and client manifest 817 in desiredformats to Origin 816.

FIG. 9 depicts another network for distributing ABR media according tothe known art, which in the example shown follows the Society of CableTelecommunications Engineers (SCTE) Standard 1206 for DASH ABR referencearchitecture. In Network 900, Transcoder 902 receives both livestreaming media and VoD (not specifically shown) and outputs an ATS setaccording to the Digital Video Subcommittee (DVS). The ATS set containsboth a Manifest 904 and Multiple Bitrate Streams 906 of the input media,which now contain Encoder Boundary Point (EBP) structures. The ATS setcan be sent directly to a Segmenter/Packager 908 or sent to a cache,such as Storage A 910.

Segmenter/Packager 908 segments the input streams and packages thestreams in an intermediate format based on DASH/TS. Segmenter/Packager908 provides Manifest 912 and media streams 914 either directly to CDN916 or Storage B 918. Just-in-Time Packaging (JITP) Packager 920receives manifest and streams from any of CDN 916, Storage A 910 andStorage B 918 and performs conversions of the DASH format streams intospecific client formats. These client formats are sent to CDN 922, whereboth manifests and media streams are sent to various clients, such asDASH ISOBMFF Client 924, HLS Client 926, HSS Client 928 and DASH/TSClient 930.

In response to the skyrocketing requirements for providing media,Applicant has envisioned an improved overall architecture for thedistribution and delivery of ABR media as shown in FIG. 1A. In thecontext of this application, “distribution” is generally used todescribe the provisioning of media within the core network and out tothe edge servers, while “delivery” of the media takes place between theedge server and the client. As seen in this figure, network 100Aincludes a Super Headend 102, which in this instance is a National DataCenter, and Regional Data Centers 104, 106. It will be understood thatthe number of regional data centers, packagers, CDN, etc. are forillustration only and can include any number of these elements. NationalData Center 102 is connected to each of Regional Data Centers 104, 106and Regional Data Centers 104, 106 are connected to each other and toother regional data centers (not specifically shown). National DataCenter 102 includes CDNs 110 and Packagers 112, some of which are edgepackagers that provide media to clients. All packagers are potentiallyedge packagers, although they may not be used as such in all instances.Regional Data Center 104 is in a Fiber network and Regional Data Centeris in a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network; both contain Packagers 112,which may include both edge packagers and non-edge packagers. The mediaprovided to clients can originate at multiple points within network 100Aand can be exchanged across boundaries, such as between Regional DataCenters 104, 106, as well as with Super Headend 102. The connectionsbetween Super Headend 102 and Regional Data Centers 104, 106 allow anexchange of both media and control information, such as entitlements andbusiness arrangements necessary for complying with all restrictionsplaced on the media being exchanged. The data centers shown are furtherexpanded into a layer of local or edge data centers, which are notillustrated here for simplicity and to concentrate on the distributionside of the network. Regionalization of the media, e.g., for blackoutsor local advertising, can take place at these edge data centers.

The disclosed network can be used to implement the dynamic adaptivemedia distribution disclosed herein, providing a control planearchitecture that enables distributed media packaging and origination.This control plane architecture supports media distribution acrossmultiple regions and multiple providers, as well as localization, e.g.,for ad insertion and blackout. The architecture supports the routing ofboth live channels, channel bundles and a VoD catalog (including NetworkDigital Video Recorder (nDVR) and Catchup stored media) and can be usedto provide dynamic and adaptive cloud-based packager orchestration. Thedynamic roll-up and distribution of service and network level analyticsis provided to support the dynamic, adaptive nature of this model.

As mentioned above and explained in greater detail below, guidelines tofacilitate the collaboration are carried in a Service Manifest that canbe associated with, for example, a channel, channel bundle or a group ofVoD media elements (i.e., a catalog or sub-catalog). In at least oneembodiment, a given Service Manifest is applied, for example, to all VoDand/or channels from a given studio. The Service Manifest is created byan SMC at the time the media is ingested and can be modified as it ispassed through the network. SMCs are coupled both to the packagers theycontrol and also to other SMCs. SMCs can collaborate to providechannel/catalog routing and content peering across delivery domains andcan orchestrate the provision of service within constraints provided byresources, business logic and analytics.

To facilitate multi-domain delivery, SMCs engage in peer-to-peerexchanges both with inter-domain SMCs in a single provider network oracross multiple-provider networks. The SMCs can exchange summary servicemanifests at boundary routers, where the SMC may provide a summary oraggregation of business rules. These summary service manifests can beused to exchange entitlements and information on SLAs made by downstreamproviders for the ABR media. The summary manifests can also be used toprovide ABR media analytics regarding the delivery of the ABR media backto the provider network. The SMCs may also exchange channel bundles andsub-catalogs. A logical transport control function provides anabstraction that works across different types of transport, e.g. LTE,DSL, or cable, and allows optimization of the media using servicemanifest manipulation. Within the logical transport control function, aconvergence layer abstracts out the particulars of the specifictransport type and allows each network to determine how best to deliverthe associated media. Within each type of transport, provider-controlledmanipulation of the Service Manifest can be used to optimize service forthe region. Media format is converted when crossing transport types andnetwork analytics are collected and rolled up for distribution. Multipledomains are currently able to share information within an organization;the disclosed embodiments expand this capability to different providersworking together. The service manifest provides a vehicle that definesbusiness logic, entitlements, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) andexchanges between domains, such that SMCs belonging to two differentcompanies can operate on the same service manifest.

FIG. 1B provides a functional view of the overall architecture of thenetwork 100B. Functionally, network 100B operates on two planes: MediaProcessing and Delivery Plane 122, in which the media stream isprocessed and prepared for presentation to the client, and Media Controland Information Plane 120, in which overall control of the network anddistribution of the media is managed. The functional entities in MediaProcessing and Delivery Plane 122 includes Service Provider SoftwareDefined Network 124, which manages programmable dynamic networkautomation including network and cloud management, Capture/Playout 126,Transformation 128, which provides enhanced video experiences byadapting media across any device or application, Content Repository 130(i.e., storage), Quality Control 132, Transfer 134, Transcoding andSegmentation 136, Media Delivery 138 and Mobile Broadcast 140. MediaControl and Information Plane 120 provides end-to-end control of thenetwork and includes functional entities such as Resource Manager 142,Content Preparation 144, Content Information 146, Channel Production148, Advertising Back End 150, Content Protection 152, Catalog Manager(for VoD) 154, Recommendation Engine 156 and Multi-Screen Control 158.Media Client 160 can be part of a UE or virtualized on the network;Media Client 160 receives input from a user on a device and interfaceswith both Media Processing and Delivery Plane 122 and Media Control andInformation Plane 120. Functional entities for Analytics 170, OperationsSupport Systems (OSS) 172 and Business Support Systems (BSS) 174interact with all functions on both planes.

Distribution and delivery of media is managed at three levels withinthis architecture. At the lowest, i.e., physical, level is TransportControl 162, which uses, e.g., TCP or other protocols for the physicallayer to transport the media. On top of the physical layer there isStream Manifest Control 164, which operates at the HTTP level (e.g., forHLS or DASH). The stream manifest sent with the media, also referred toas a client manifest, tells a client device how the stream has to beprocessed for presentation to a user. Service Manifest Control 166serves to provide end-to-end control of the media within the network. Aservice manifest is concerned with control of the stream and is used toprovide information that can relate to any phase in the distribution anddelivery of the media, such as entitlements associated with the media,limitations on how the media is to be prepared, etc., so that the actualcontrol of the media is decentralized.

Entitlements, in the context of media distribution and delivery, referto the business rules that define the relationship between the media andthe user, i.e., how the media can be consumed. Entitlements can includewho may access the media, when and where and requires the correlation ofsubscriber, content rights, and the delivery end point or device. Inorder to manage entitlement across a distributed network, identificationmust be normalized for both content and user across the network andanalytics must be propagated throughout the network. Service ManifestControl 166 is specifically concerned with entitlements associated withthe content, i.e., with channels and VoD.

Channels have traditionally had a static binding with their associatedcontent, such that a specific channel looked the same everywhere thatthe channel was available. In the disclosed embodiments, channels cannow take on a more dynamic nature with regard to content. A channel thatis produced by the national data center, for example, may havevariations in different regions, such as the local insertion ofadvertising, substitution of programs in different regions and thepossibility of providing “simulcasts”, i.e., broadcast of a local eventsuch as a graduation ceremony, local sporting event, etc., either as asubstitution of a program on a specific channel or even as the provisionof a separate channel that is available only for the duration of theevent and thus time-limited. The inclusion of such local variationsneeds to be governed by business rules and other regulations thatcontrol the presentation according to network policies.

These new types of information can be carried across the network by theservice manifest, which can be creates by a network entity that providesthe media, modified to fit needs across the network, and used duringdistribution and delivery of the media to provide guidance and enforcecompliance. Where a stream manifest is a network element that controlsbitrates, formats, and the associated resources, the service manifest isan element that is all about end to end control and the creation ofentitlement. SMCs, which create and interact with the service manifests,can be created at multiple locations across the network. Typically, eachregional data center with have one or more SMCs. Additional SMCs may becreated for any portions of the network where it is desired to providebusiness rules for a specific part of the network For example,downstream manifest controllers may be created for:

-   -   Crossing from the super head end to regional head ends;    -   Crossing from the core network to the edge network;    -   Crossing from one network administrative domain to another;    -   Between wireline and wireless networks; and    -   Between wholesale and access networks.

In the disclosed ABR media distribution model a dynamic network ofpackagers is used to distribute the media/channels, including acrossmultiple domains, which can be controlled by different organizations.With the increased consumption of ABR media/channels, some of themedia/channels need to be served from a location close to local regions.Packagers and CDNs can be distributed in both central and regional datacenters, allowing the same media catalog/channels to be served from boththe central and the regional data centers. For a given channel, eachregion may have a different stream and different requirements withregard to service, format, content protection, ad insertion, storage andmetadata. These variations can be met using dynamic orchestration anddelivery of the media catalog and channels with Constraints BasedRouting (CBR).

Intelligent path selection based on multiple constraints and/or onpacket content takes various factors (e.g., with a view to adaptation ofcontent to different regions, network capacity, load, etc.) intoconsideration, in addition to dynamically configuring existingpackagers, adding or deleting packagers, and/or instantiating newpackager instances at one or more hierarchical levels in an end-to-endpath. CBR as set forth herein denotes a class of higher-layer routingalgorithms that base path selection decisions on a set of requirementsor constraints (business rules, SLAs, subscriber-based policies, contentprovider policies, etc.), in addition to the destination and QoSconstraints. These constraints may be imposed by administrativepolicies, or by QoS requirements. Constraints imposed by policies may bereferred to as policy constraints, and the associated routing may bereferred to as policy routing (or policy-based routing). Constraintsimposed by QoS requirements, such as, e.g., bandwidth, delay, or loss,may be referred to as QoS constraints, and the associated routing may bereferred to as QoS routing. CBR-based embodiments herein may considerflow aggregates (also known as macro-flows or trunks) and/or individualmicro-flows (e.g., a single hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)connection).

At least portions of the network may involve suitable TCP/IP/UDP-basedrouting protocols according to known standards and specifications.Illustratively, some portions of the network environment may involve arouter network based on link-state protocols such as the IntermediateSystem-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS) routing protocol, Open ShortestPath First (OSPF) routing protocol, etc., and/or distance-vector routingprotocols, which can be grouped as Interior Gateway Protocols (IGP) thatmay be used for routing information within a domain or autonomous system(AS) or as Exterior Gateway Protocols (EGP) that may be used fordetermining network reachability across multiple domains that may spanan end-to-end path. Advantageously, in some example embodiments, achannel/catalog routing protocol in a packager network may compriseadvertisement messages similar to link-state advertisements in OSPF, butadapted to operate at a higher layer (e.g., application layer) of thestack.

In at least one embodiment, the routing is based on protocols from anInformation Centric Networking (ICN) architecture, which is also knownas Content Centric Networking. Content Centric Networking (CCN)emphasizes content (ABR Media) by making it directly addressable androutable. In this embodiment, CCN routing protocols will be used todistribute the constraints and to build the ABR media channel or mediacatalog routing databases.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example network 200 of Packagers 202 and anassociated network of SMCs 204. In this figure, two Headend Packagers202A, 202B receive media in MBR ATS format and distribute the mediadownstream directly to Packagers 202C, 202D and from there to additionalPackagers 202E, 202F, 202G, 202H, 202J, which are connected via multiplepathways. This distributed packaging provides resiliency, lower cost,and an increased ability to provide real-time service. In this model,all packagers are capable of performing any of the actions associatedwith packagers, e.g., packaging, transcoding, recording, transporting,JIT services, etc., as well as providing multiple different formats atthe same time, but may be given different packaging tasks according tocustomer demand and the needs of the network. Further the tasksallocated to specific packagers can change dynamically as specific needsvary. As will be discussed in greater detail below, some packagers maybe permanently allocated, but others may be instantiated to managespecific packaging tasks that are time-limited.

Applicants note that the headend packagers shown are not necessarily atthe national data center, but may be at various locations around thenetwork, allowing media to be ingested at diverse locations and sharedwith the rest of the network according to the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, Headend Packagers 202A, 202B can be at a boundary between twoservice providers, with media being shared in both directions across theboundary. It is further notable that any of the packagers can provide aclient manifest and associated media to Origin Servers 206, but not allpackagers need to do so. Some packagers, e.g., Packagers 202C, 202D,202E, 202F as shown serve as intermediate packagers to help manage thepackaging in the most efficient manner. It will be understood that thenumber of packagers in a region can be either smaller or larger than theregion shown. Origin Servers 206 ingest MPEG-TS, both constant bitrateand adaptive bitrate, and provide media storage, content transformation,and streaming. Origin Servers 206 transform the streams on-the-fly toRTSP and different OTT formats, thus eliminating the need to storemultiple stream formats.

One or more Service Manifest Controllers 204 interact with Packagers 202to assist in creating an associated Service Manifests when new media isingested. The Service Manifest can also be modified in various ways toreflect the packaging in specific regions of the network and the SMCsparticipate in these modifications. SMCs 204 can be configured toconnect only to headend packagers or to all packagers in their region.SMCs are frequently co-located with a packager, although this is not arequirement.

Turning next to FIG. 3, an example of the network elements used todeliver media to a client device is shown according to an embodiment ofthe patent disclosure. Network 300 includes elements for PreparationControl 321, Delivery Control 323 and Edge Control 325. PreparationControl 321 includes Media Manager 302 and Content Controller 304. MediaManager 302 acts as an administrator, receiving electronic programmingdata and subscriber information and authenticating user access based oncorrelating device, user and content rights; Media Manager 302 alsocontains the content encryption keys and manages the Service Manifest.Content Controller 304 is a Digital Rights Management (DRM) licenseserver that interacts with client devices to support content deliverybased on client requests and service mediation; Content Controller 304will provide the Stream Manifest to the client. Delivery Control 323includes Domain Name Server (DNS) 306, CDN Request Router 308 andManifest Content Controller 310. DNS 306 translates or resolveshuman-memorable domain names and hostnames into the correspondingnumeric Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. In at least one embodiment,rather than using DNS 306, the architecture utilizes HTTP redirect toperform a similar function. CDN Request Router 308 receives userrequests and steers the UE to a delivery node that is close. ManifestContent Controller 310 controls the Client Manifest. Edge Control 325includes JIT X/P 312, Media Client Proxy 314, User Interface 316 andMedia Client 318. The “X/P” in JIT X/P is used to indicate that thisnode can be a JIT transcoder or JIT packager, depending on thefunctionality needed in the specific embodiment. Both User Interface 316and Media Client 318 are part of a client device, such as a set-top boxor mobile device. Media Client Proxy 314 can be in the client or innetwork. Media Client 318 in the client device and Media Client Proxy314 manage authentication of a client device with a media platform,retrieve content, and provide local enforcement of digital rightsmanagement. In at least one embodiment, Media Client 318 and MediaClient Proxy 314 also provide device management, entitlementenforcement, analytics, ad insertion, CDN selection and bandwidthmanagement. User Interface 316 allows the subscriber to interact withMedia Client Proxy 314. Example UEs such as would contain User Interface316 and Media Client 318 may be operative with one or more coder-decoder(codec) functionalities based on known or hereto unknown standards orspecifications including but not limited to, e.g., Moving PicturesExpert Group (MPEG) codecs (MPEG, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, etc.), H.264 codec,High Efficiency Video Coding or HEVC (H.265) codec, and the like. In theembodiment shown, Media Manager 302, Content Controller 304 and JIT X/P312 together can be viewed as a Packager 200 and will enable theperformance of JIT Transcoder or JIT packager as needed.

The arrows in FIG. 3 indicate example information flows between theentities at the network edge. As seen on the top portion of thisdiagram, User Interface 316 sends a View Request (Roll Request) 320 fora channel or VoD to Media Client Proxy 314 which will be forwarded toContent Controller 304 to obtain the service details for the Media.Media Client Proxy 314 also sends information on behalf of User or MediaClient to JIT X/P 312 to request allocation of resources for thesubscriber request. Media Client 318 can send a Flow Request 328 toMedia Client Proxy 314, a Segment Request 330 to JIT X/P 312, ManifestRequest 332 to Manifest Content Controller 310, DNS Request 334 to CDNRequest Router 308 and Manifest Request 336 to Content Controller 304.In this particular embodiment, Media Manager 302, Content Controller 304and JIT X/P 312 can provide the functionality of a Packager 200 and canbe a first point of contact when the client requests a channel map or amedia catalog map; Media Manager 302 and Content Controller 304 cansupply the current mapping.

Given the disclosed ability of the network to change a location fromwhich any media item is served, the network needs to dynamicallyconstruct channel maps and media catalog maps. This operation isperformed on the client-side based on a channel or media catalog lookupapplication program interface (API). In at least one embodiment, aclient can contact any packager in the network to receive a channel mapor media catalog map. The map may include different representations of achannel or media element that may be provided at different locations,e.g., the Spanish-language version of a channel may be accessible from afirst location, while the English-language version is accessible from asecond location. Other differences are, of course, also possible. In atleast one embodiment, input from delivery-based CBR is used togetherwith entitlements and business-logic to arrive at the channel map for aspecific client.

One of the strengths of the disclosed delivery system is that theelements can be implemented as micro-services in the cloud and do notneed to store any state information. Rather, this loosely coupledarchitecture can be instantiated at need and used to provide areal-time, adaptive structure at any location in the network. Byinstantiating the disclosed micro-services as needed, both distributionand delivery of media can be optimized. Thus, media originationservices, such as provided by Origin Servers 206, can reside in any ofPreparation Control 321, Delivery Control 323 or Edge Control 325 andcan map to different products, be instantiated as micro-services invirtual machines, and can exercise different aspects of mediaorigination in each location.

By providing the interconnections and end-to-end components disclosedherein, Applicants provide a scalable and cost-effective way to serve amedia catalog or channel in order to improve Service Provideroperational efficiency and provide adaptive, dynamic media and channelorchestration across the regions. The disclosed embodiments can supporta large number of long tail VOD media catalogs and channels. Channelsand media catalogs can be routed by format, content-protection,resources, service, and constraints. Channel adaptation can be based onlocal or regional limitations, such as load, capacity, etc. Livechannels or bundles can receive JIT provisioning and VOD media catalogscan be packaged and served JIT.

The disclosed adaptive, manifest-controlled media distribution anddelivery architecture provides control plane mechanisms to help simplifymedia preparation and delivery in the new dynamic packager networkmodel. This architecture uses cost-effective, scalable mechanisms,adaptive channel orchestration and delivery, and adaptive VODmedia/catalog preparation and delivery. The disclosed architecturedefines a Service Manifest that describes the properties and metadata ofthe media stream and provides directives for packaging the media fordelivery. This architecture uses the following mechanisms:

-   -   CBR for media preparation, i.e., constraints that govern the        packaging are provided within the Service Manifest such that        decisions about routing can be made across the network, rather        than being localized only at the national headend;    -   CBR for channel orchestration, i.e., channels can be modified at        local levels within the constraints provided, e.g., to provide        local advertising or blackouts, even providing the instantiation        of time-limited channels, all using dynamic channel        orchestration; and    -   CBR for media and channel delivery, i.e., routing constraints        are also provided, offering the guidelines needed by edge nodes        to provide optimized delivery to the client;

In order to provide CBR, a service manifest is defined and associatedwith media. The service manifest describes the stream properties andmetadata of the associated media and also provides directives to packagethe media for delivery. The service manifest can be used to representlive channel media, both live and time-shifted, as well as VoD media andcatch up media. The service manifest is a media description document andis provided as an enhanced DASH Media Presentation Document (MPD) thatis consumed by the packagers, rather than the client and that has beenexpanded to manage distribution. The service manifest describes the MBRATS Streams in an adaptation set, i.e., the static metadata andsupplemental information related to the ATS stream, and the packaged ABRadaptation sets, so that it contains information from which the clientmanifest can be created, but also contains directives for downstreampackagers and describes packager-related attributes. The manifest orselected portions of the service manifest are preferably protected,i.e., using encrypted binary data in the service manifest. Unlike theclient manifest, which describes how the stream is to be played out forthe user, the service manifest provides guidance for the allocation ofresources within the network.

Turning to FIG. 4, an example of a service manifest is shown accordingto one embodiment of this disclosure. As noted above, Service Manifest400 is an MPD and contains the following elements: Period 402,Adaptation Set 404, Representation 406, Segment 408, Directive 410 andPackager 412. Period 402 describes a part of the content with a starttime and duration; multiple periods can be used to separate, e.g.,scenes or chapters, or advertising from program content. Adaptation Set404 contains a media stream or set of media streams. In the simplestcase, Period 402 can have one Adaptation Set 404 containing all audioand video for the content. Alternatively, each stream can be split intodifferent Adaptation Sets. A common case is to have one video AdaptationSet, and multiple audio Adaptation Sets, e.g., one for each supportedlanguage. Adaptation Sets can also contain subtitles or arbitrarymetadata. These Adaptation Sets are usually chosen by the user, or by auser agent such as a web browser or TV using the user's preferences forlanguage and/or accessibility needs.

Representation 406 allows an Adaptation Set to contain the same contentencoded in different ways. In most cases, Representations will beprovided in multiple screen sizes and bandwidths, allowing clients torequest the highest quality content that they can play without waitingto buffer or wasting bandwidth on unneeded pixels. Representations canalso be encoded with different codecs, allowing support for clients withdifferent supported codecs or to provide higher quality Representationsto newer clients while still supporting legacy clients. Multiple codecscan also be useful on battery-powered devices, where a device mightchose an older codec having hardware support and lower battery usage,even if the device has software support for a newer codec.Representations are usually chosen automatically, but some players allowusers to override the choices. A user might choose to make their ownrepresentation choices if, for example, they don't want to wastebandwidth in a particular video or if they're willing to have the videostop and buffer in exchange for higher quality.

Media segments are the actual media files that the DASH client plays.Segment 408 can provide media segment locations using a BaseURL for asingle-segment Representation, a list of segments (SegmentList) or atemplate (SegmentTemplate). Segments can be in separate files, commonfor live streaming, or they can be byte ranges within a single file,which is common for static or “on-demand” media. The above portions ofService Manifest 400 describe what is being generated in the clientmanifest and thus correspond to similar elements in the client manifest.

New elements in the Service Manifest include Directives 410 andPackagers 412. Directives carry information for use by downstreampackagers and can be used for routing of media catalogs or channels,adaptive transcoding and packaging, upload and CDN delivery, contentprotection, entitlements, advertising insertion, recording and storage.In at least one embodiment, Directive 410 can include the following:

-   -   General information related to the media/channel;    -   General guidance on how to package the streams;    -   Optional or mandatory instructions on how to package the        streams;    -   Guidance on how to forward or route the streams; and    -   Optional or mandatory constraints on streams.        Additionally, Directive 410 can be any of a CBR Directive, CDN        Directive, Transcode Directive, Package Directive, Upload        Directive, Content Protection Directive, Content Storage        Directive, Ad Insertion Directive, and Time-Shift Directive. A        link-level constraint, for example, may specify the restriction        on the use of links of a given network. In one example, a        bandwidth constraint of a unicast connection may require that        the links composing the path must have certain amount of free        bandwidth available. A path constraint may specify an end-to-end        QoS requirement on a single path. A tree constraint may specify        an overall QoS requirement for the entire multicast tree. In one        example, a delay constraint of a multicast connection may        require that the longest end-to-end delay from the sender to any        receiver in the tree must not exceed an upper bound. A directive        related to Transport Control may indicate packaging differences        that depend on the type of transport used for the last mile.

Packager 412 can provide information on upstream and/or downstreampackager configuration, as well as other desired information regardingthe packager. In at least one embodiment, packager attributes includelocation (e.g., region, data center name/etc.), address (e.g., a URL toaccess the packager), type (i.e., packager, transcoder, recorder, JIT,etc.), capabilities, identification (a unique packager ID), and owner(e.g., provider, CDN, content provider). In at least one embodiment,when a packager makes changes to Service Manifest 400, the changes, aswell as identification of the packager making the changes, aredocumented in Packager field 412. Directives 410 and Packagers 412 canbe applied to any level of Service Manifest 400, e.g. Directive 410A isapplied to Representation 406A, but not to Representation 406B, or mayapply to the entire MPD, e.g., Directives 410D, 410E and Packagers 412A,412B. In addition to the new fields for Directives 410 and Packagers412, individual elements of Service Manifest 400 can be protected. In atleast one embodiment, a portion of Service Manifest 400, e.g., Directive410D, which is mandatory, is signed for protection. In at least oneembodiment the signature is the result of HMAC using SHA256 over theprotected data in the service manifest. In at least one embodiment, alldata contained between a signature start element and a signature endelement is considered as the protected data. In at least one embodiment,signing is used to forbid a packager from editing a mandatory Directive410. It should be appreciated that an enhanced MPD according to theteachings herein may be provided based on other protocols as well.

Service Manifest 400 can be generated by an SMC, such as SMC 204A. In atleast one embodiment, when Headend Packager 204A uploads a media catalogor channel block, SMC 204 generates an initial service manifest for themedia based on catalog data and an ingestion configuration for thechannel or media. In at least one embodiment, SMC 204 can be used togenerate service manifests for all of Packagers 202 in the network notonly for Headend Packagers 202A, 202B. SMC 204 also assists in CBR formedia catalog delivery and channel orchestration. SMCs are distributedacross the network, rather than being centralized. Each of Central DataCenter 102 and Regional Data Centers 104, 106 can have one or more SMCs.In at least one embodiment, SMC 204 is a separate entity; in at leastone embodiment, SMC 204 is co-resident with a packager, e.g., SMC 102Ais co-resident with Packager 104A.

In at least one embodiment, SMC 204A in conjunction with an associatedpackager, e.g., Packager 202A, performs CBR for media catalog andchannel orchestration, using service manifests, ingestion configuration,routing tables and additional constraints to determine the routing,although this is not the only routing protocol that may be used.Constraints may be provided in directives carried in the servicemanifests; additional constraints can include packager resources, e.g.,load, capacity, business logic, etc. As needs across the network change,allocations of channels and media catalogs to packagers can change overtime. Therefore, dynamic mapping of media catalogs and channels isperformed in response to subscriber request, e.g., when the subscriberturns on a given device. A client device can request a current channelor media catalog map from any network node. In at least one embodiment,a client device goes to the closest network node to request a currentmapping for channels and media catalogs. The packager accesses a channeldatabase and a media catalog database describing the locations ofcurrent media catalogs and channels, then applies CBR to determine anoptimal packager to provide the media catalog or channel to the clientdevice. The location of this optimal packager is provided to the clientdevice, so that the client device is able to contact the selectedpackager and receive the requested media. Media delivery uses channeldatabases, media catalog databases and routing tables that are differentthan the databases and routing tables used for distribution and containadditional constraints used for media delivery. That is, routing tablesused for distribution need information about available resources, suchas storage and workload, while routing tables used for delivery considerconstraints such as availability of bandwidth, content, JIT processingresources, and location with regard to the user.

The channel database and media catalog database contain respectivechannel or catalog distribution analytics (CDA) and other elements, suchas publishing points, channel state, packager resources state, CDNorigin, etc. The analytics may contain information regarding any numberof factors that can affect distribution and delivery of ABR media. Theinformation can include elements such as where channels and media arecurrently distributed, but can also contain elements that describe howthe channels and media are being consumed, e.g., the number of look-upsmade for a channel or media element, the number of clients consuming thechannel/media, how the media is being consumed, e.g. via cellular, WiFi,wireline delivery, bitrates being used, etc. This information can beused to help the network remain cognizant of areas of the networkneeding attention or changes. For example, if a channel is being heavilyused, a current packager may be reaching its limits for providing thechannel. The network can determine, e.g., to shift the channel toanother packager with more capabilities, to add an additional packagerto spread the load being carried by the current packager, or to add moreresources to the packager.

The routing to distribute channels and media catalogs is performed atthe application level and uses the channel/media catalog databases. Therouting protocol will have some similarities to the routing protocolsused in other routing protocols, but lookup in the channel/media catalogdatabases does not just access the destination, as a router in a networkmight, but also looks at factors such as resource availability, e.g.,the availability of bandwidth, storage, content and processingresources, and local optimization. In at least one embodiment, the mediacatalog and channel databases are also used to determine the feasibilityof specific changes. It is envisioned that major mapping changes aremade, e.g., once a day, so that it is possible to perform more complexcalculations in pursuit of an optimal solution than might be possible ifchanges were made more frequently.

Optimization is increased by the exchange of information between SMCs orpackagers, referred to herein as peering. This peering can exchange CDA,which is then stored in the channel and media catalog databases. CBRapplied to the databases can result in appropriate routing tables fordistribution. The channel routing table is used to route a channel orchannel group to one or more packagers and the media catalog routingtable is used to route a media catalog to one or more packagers. Mediaare constrained to a catalog, which is serviced by a group of packagerswithin certain constraints. A lookup failure for a packager may resultin dynamic orchestration of one or more packagers to meet the demand.

The service manifest, along with the media and channel streams,traverses the network from headend-packagers towards downstream or edgepackagers. Any packager may ingest one or more input service manifestsand may generate one or more service manifests, e.g. to best providearea-specific content along different routes. In this manner, theservice manifest is updated as the service manifest traverses thenetwork. Examples of possible modifications include:

-   -   Adding or dropping a bitrate, e.g., to add or delete high        definition;    -   Adding or dropping a format, such as adding DASH and dropping        SS;    -   Adding or dropping a CDN, e.g. to meet specific business rules;    -   Adding or dropping an Audio Stream, e.g., adding Spanish        language.

Several models of ABR media distribution may be used with CBR, includinga Push Model, a Pull Model, and a Hybrid Model in which both push andpull are used and a Peer-to-Peer Model. In each of these models, aPackager, which may or may not be a Headend Packager, generates theService Manifest for a channel or media catalog based on the StreamManifest from a transcoder and an Initial Service Manifest from an SMC.The Service Manifest may also be generated using an ingestionconfiguration from a provider. The Packager uses the Stream Manifest andthe Initial Service Manifest to generate a media ingestion configurationfor itself. The Service Manifest generated by the Packager describes theoutput stream properties and directives associated with the channel ormedia catalog for use by other packagers. The Service manifest will beused by a downstream packager to generate a media ingestionconfiguration for itself and the downstream packager in turn generatesan updated Service Manifest. The Service Manifest output by eachPackager reflects the available streams, other resources, and updateddirectives based on the local configuration and business policies.

In the Push Model shown in FIG. 5A MBR ATS Transcoder 502 sends the MBRATS stream and the Stream Manifest to Headend Packager 504. The ServiceManifest is first published by Headend Packager 504 in conjunction withSMC 512 and used by the downstream packagers, such as Packagers 506,508. Headend Packager 504 uses the Service Manifest to serve OriginServers 510 associated with the Headend Packager. The Service Manifestis updated and re-published by Packagers 506, 508 if additionalpackagers (not specifically shown) are used and is used to serverespective Origin Servers 510. The Channel Routing table is used toroute the channel. In the Push Model, HeadendPackager 504 uses theService Manifest and other information, such as the configurations ofdownstream Packagers 506, 508 to determine how to distribute channelswithin the network. The other information can include the channel, CDN,and recording configurations, content protection, service configuration,channel and/or packager Directives configuration, local business logic,etc. Headend Packager 504 can be any type of packager and may have anynumber of downstream packagers associated therewith. The edge packagers,such as Packagers 506, 508, use the Service Manifest and the localconfiguration to generate Client Manifest(s), may have input StreamManifests and performs necessary transformation functions. Packagers506, 508 may also use specific mandatory directives, perform packagerlookup for channel and media catalog delivery using the Channel orCatalog Routing table to find the right packager for client use, andprovide outputs such as HLS, SS, DASH.

In the Pull Model shown in FIG. 5B, Service Manifests and media streamstraverse from upstream packagers, such as Headend Packager 520,downstream when pulled from the edge packagers, such as JIT Packagers522. In this model, Edge Packagers 522, 524 initiate the ServiceManifest Requests based on the local conditions and using the channel orcatalog routing table. Directives for packagers in the pull model arenot mandatory. Edge Packagers 522, 524 can operate in two modes, usingboth JIT and Ahead of Time adaptations for channel and media catalogprovisioning, e.g., performing ahead-of-time provisioning for channelsand JIT for VoD. A Hybrid Model can combine the Push and Pull model. Inat least one embodiment using a Hybrid Model, major channel groups andpopular media catalogs can be pushed to regional data centers or beyond,while channels and media catalogs that only receive occasional use arepulled from a distant packager only when requested.

In a Peer-to-Peer Model, multiple head-ends packagers can ingest aparticular media catalog or channel bundle, so that an edge packagerdoesn't know where to get the media/channel. The edge packager performsan expanding lookup process for the desired media with neighbors. If noneighbors have the desired media, the request can go all the way up thehierarchy to a headend packager containing the media. Along thisexpanding lookup process, however, a neighboring packager that has themedia/channel can send the channel or media-catalog down to the edgepackager.

In each model, channel and media catalog mapping is performed real time,based on subscriber demand and business logic. Every region can have adifferent channel guide mapping, with some media being served, forexample, from a national data center while other media is served fromthe regional centers. Channels and media catalogs can be served fromdifferent set of packagers, as desired. Given the architecture anddistribution disclosed here, especially the on demand real timeinfrastructure and dynamic orchestration of both the packager networkand the channels and media catalogs carried by the packager network,channel to packager mapping is much more dynamic than previously seen.Packager nodes can be added or deleted, with CBR to help to identifyoptimal locations and/or nodes. CBR can indicate the need for packagersto be reconfigured to meet changing demands and additional constraints,e.g., for channel routing, can be imposed on packagers. Failure ofpackager lookup in routing tables can trigger channel and/or mediacatalog orchestration, resulting in the orchestration of new packagers.Edge packagers therefore perform dynamic look up in response to userrequests in order to determine a packager to serve a channel or VoD tothe user.

Turning next to FIGS. 6A-6L, these figures disclose a flowchart for aMethod 600 for distributing ABR media in a network. In Method 600A, afirst network node ingests 605 a first ABR media element. The firstnetwork node further receives 610 a second ABR media element that wasinitially ingested at a second node. The first network node initiates615 distribution of the first and second ABR media elements to a firstplurality of network nodes. Other actions can be performed as needed andare not performed in any particular order unless otherwise stated. InMethod 600B, the first ABR media element is initially ingested 620 in anational data center and the second ABR media element is initiallyingested in a regional data center. In Method 600C, the first ABR mediaelement is initially ingested 620 in a domain owned by a first entityand the second ABR media element is initially ingested in a domain ownedby a second entity. In Method 600D, the network maintains 630 a deliverydatabase comprising locations from which ABR media elements can beretrieved.

In Method 600E, a node determines 640 whether a request for the firstelement of ABR media has been received from a client device. If norequest has been received, the node continues with other operations andwaits for a request. If a request has been received, the node determines645 a best packager from which to obtain the first element of ABR mediaand directs 650 the client device to the best packager to retrieve thefirst element of ABR media. In at least some embodiments, Method 600F isperformed as part of action 645 and determines 655 whether a bestpackager is available that meets a constraint for delivery of the firstelement of ABR media. If a best packager is available, then action 650is performed; otherwise the network initiates 660 instantiation of a newpackager that can meet the constraint and directs the client to the newpackager to retrieve the first element of ABR media.

In at least one embodiment shown in Method 600G, the first node pushes665 the first element of ABR media to the first plurality of nodes alonga distribution route. In at least one embodiment shown in Method 600H, anode in the first plurality of network nodes pulls 670 distribution ofthe first element of ABR media on-demand from the first node along adistribution route. In at least one embodiment shown in Method 600I, thefirst node pushes 675 the first element of ABR media to the firstplurality of nodes along a first distribution route and a node in thefirst plurality of network nodes pulls 680 distribution of the secondelement of ABR media on-demand from the first node along a seconddistribution route.

In Method 600J, a node dynamically constructs 685 a channel map for aclient device, based on client entitlements, business logic and deliveryconstraints associated with ABR media to which the client device isentitled. In Method 600K, network nodes exchange 690 summary servicemanifests across boundaries between one of different regions of aprovider and different providers. In Method 600L, the system creates aservice manifest associated with the first ABR media element when thefirst ABR media element is initially ingested, the Service Manifestcomprising a plurality of directives.

FIGS. 7A-7M disclose a flowchart for a method for distributing ABR mediain a network. In Method 700A the network determines 705 a best packagerof a plurality of packagers to perform a packaging function on an ABRmedia element based on a routing database and a constraint associatedwith the ABR media element and initiates 710 routing of the ABR mediaelement to the best packager. In at least one embodiment, Method 700B isperformed as part of actions 705 and determines 715 whether a packagercan be found in the routing database that meets the constraint. If apackager is found, the method moves to element 710; otherwise the methodinitiates 720 instantiation of a new packager to service the request andinitializes routing of the ABR media element to the new packager. Thenew packager is instantiated on a secure cloud infrastructure. If a newpackager is instantiated, Method 500C is performed to authenticate 725the new packager.

The remaining actions can be performed as needed and are not performedin any particular order unless otherwise stated. Method 700D can beperformed as necessary and populates 730 the routing database with atleast one of an availability of bandwidth, availability of storage,content currently served, and processing resources at respectivepackagers. Method 700E is performed prior to the actions of Method 700Aand receives 735 the constraint in a service manifest as a directive. Inat least one embodiment shown in Method 700F, the system requires 740the directive to be met. In at least one embodiment shown in Method700G, the system provides 745 at least one of constraints on a stream,general information related to a channel, and guidance on how to route astream in a directive. In at least one embodiment shown in Method 700H,the system provides 750 constraints in the directive on at least one ofmedia catalog routing, channel routing, adaptive transcoding, adaptivepackaging, upload and CDN delivery, content protection, entitlements andad insertion, recording and storage. In at least one embodiment shown inMethod 700I, a given packager changes 755 the service manifest anddocuments 760 the change in a packager element of the service manifest.In at least one embodiment shown in Method 700J, at least a portion ofthe service manifest is signed 770.

In at least one embodiment shown in Method 700K, the network distributes775 channel analytics in real-time using a routing protocol. In at leastone embodiment shown in Method 700L, the network receives 780 an updatefor channel analytics and updates 785 routing of ABR media elements. Inat least one embodiment shown in Method 700M, a network node initiallyingests 790 an ABR media element and creates 795 a service manifest forthe ABR media element.

The disclosed systems, devices and methods can facilitate manyinnovative ways to present digital media to users in a managed network.One example of this is what might be called “follow-me” media, in whicha subscriber who is travelling, e.g., to another state or country, canwatch their regular programming in another location. In thisapplication, a subscriber who lives, for example, in Texas, istravelling in Florida, but wants to access the media and channels thatthey usually watch at home and with the same high-quality experience.The subscriber is identified to the network in the new location andtheir entitlements and media preferences are retrieved. Because of thenew region the subscriber is visiting, the channel block in the Floridaregion has a somewhat different lineup than does the Texas region. Apackager near the subscriber is able to perform a lookup to determine apackager, e.g., in Texas, that can supply the desired channel block anddirects the subscriber's client device to the distant packager. Thesubscriber can then access their accustomed shows, generally with localadvertising inserted. If a large number of Texans are currently visitingin Florida and are requesting the same channel block, the network maydetermine that the amount of traffic between the two regions isexcessive. The network can then choose to instantiate a new packager inthe Florida region that receives one copy of the channel block andserves all the subscribers in Florida who request this channel block.The subscribers can continue to access the Texas packager until the newFlorida packager is instantiated; then the next time the UE requests thenext ABR segment, the UE is directed to the new packager.

In the above-description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, allterms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have thesame meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the artto which this invention belongs. It will be further understood thatterms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of this specification and the relevant art and may not beinterpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense expressly so definedherein.

Furthermore, as noted previously, at least a portion of an examplenetwork architecture disclosed herein may be virtualized as set forthabove and architected in a cloud-computing environment comprising ashared pool of configurable virtual resources. For instance, variouspieces of software, e.g., content encoding schemes, DRMs, segmentationmechanisms, media asset package databases, etc., as well as platformsand infrastructure of a video service provider network may beimplemented in a service-oriented architecture, e.g., Software as aService (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), infrastructure as aService (IaaS) etc., with multiple entities providing different featuresof an example embodiment of the present invention, wherein one or morelayers of virtualized environments may be instantiated on commercial offthe shelf (COTS) hardware. Skilled artisans will also appreciate thatsuch a cloud-computing environment may comprise one or more of privateclouds, public clouds, hybrid clouds, community clouds, distributedclouds, multiclouds and interclouds (e.g., “cloud of clouds”, and thelike.

At least some example embodiments are described herein with reference toblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implementedmethods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer programproducts. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions that are performed by one or more computercircuits. Such computer program instructions may be provided to aprocessor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purposecomputer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit toproduce a machine, so that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer and/or other programmable data processingapparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memorylocations, and other hardware components within such circuitry toimplement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/orflowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality)and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in theblock diagrams and/or flowchart block(s). Additionally, the computerprogram instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readablemedium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processingapparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructionsstored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufactureincluding instructions which implement the functions/acts specified inthe block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks. At least one ormore drawing figures in the accompanying materials show variousstructural components and blocks of a network node or element, includingone or more processors, interfaces, and suitable memory with programinstructions, configured to perform or effectuate one or moreembodiments above. In similar fashion, at least one or more drawingfigures in the accompanying materials show various structural componentsand blocks of a subscriber end station or device, including one or moreprocessors, interfaces, and suitable memory with program instructions,configured to perform or effectuate one or more embodiments above.

As alluded to previously, tangible, non-transitory computer-readablemedium may include an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, orsemiconductor data storage system, apparatus, or device. More specificexamples of the computer-readable medium would include the following: aportable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM) circuit, aread-only memory (ROM) circuit, an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory) circuit, a portable compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), and a portable digital video disc read-onlymemory (DVD/Blu-ray). The computer program instructions may also beloaded onto or otherwise downloaded to a computer and/or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer and/or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer-implemented process. Accordingly,embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in hardware and/orin software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.)that runs on a processor or controller, which may collectively bereferred to as “circuitry,” “a module” or variants thereof. Further, anexample processing unit may include, by way of illustration, a generalpurpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventionalprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality ofmicroprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSPcore, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, anyother type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine. As can beappreciated, an example processor unit may employ distributed processingin certain embodiments.

Further, in at least some additional or alternative implementations, thefunctions/acts described in the blocks may occur out of the order shownin the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may infact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimesbe executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/actsinvolved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowchartsand/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or thefunctionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or blockdiagrams may be at least partially integrated. Furthermore, althoughsome of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show aprimary direction of communication, it is to be understood thatcommunication may occur in the opposite direction relative to thedepicted arrows. Finally, other blocks may be added or inserted betweenthe blocks that are illustrated.

It should therefore be clearly understood that the order or sequence ofthe acts, steps, functions, components or blocks illustrated in any ofthe flowcharts depicted in the drawing Figures of the present disclosuremay be modified, altered, replaced, customized or otherwise rearrangedwithin a particular flowchart, including deletion or omission of aparticular act, step, function, component or block. Moreover, the acts,steps, functions, components or blocks illustrated in a particularflowchart may be inter-mixed or otherwise inter-arranged or rearrangedwith the acts, steps, functions, components or blocks illustrated inanother flowchart in order to effectuate additional variations,modifications and configurations with respect to one or more processesfor purposes of practicing the teachings of the present patentdisclosure.

Although various embodiments have been shown and described in detail,the claims are not limited to any particular embodiment or example. Noneof the above Detailed Description should be read as implying that anyparticular component, element, step, act, or function is essential suchthat it must be included in the scope of the claims. Reference to anelement in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one”unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structuraland functional equivalents to the elements of the above-describedembodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art areexpressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to beencompassed by the present claims. Accordingly, those skilled in the artwill recognize that the exemplary embodiments described herein can bepracticed with various modifications and alterations within the spiritand scope of the claims appended below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for distributing control of adaptivebitrate (ABR) media distribution and delivery in a network, the methodcomprising: a plurality of service manifest controllers providingservice manifests to a plurality of packagers in a region, a firstservice manifest of the service manifests comprising a directive forpackagers and packager information, the first service manifest beingassociated with an ABR media element that comprises at least one of achannel, a channel bundle and a Video-on-Demand catalog; responsive to apackager of the plurality of packagers receiving, from a client device,a request for media contained in the ABR media element, determining,based on a media routing database and a constraint contained in thedirective, a best packager of the plurality of packagers to perform apackaging function on the ABR media element; initiating routing of theABR media element to the best packager for packaging and delivery of themedia to the client device; and changing the service manifest at a givenpackager and documenting the change in a packager element of the servicemanifest.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising,responsive to determining that a packager cannot be found in the mediarouting database that meets the constraint, initiating instantiation ofa new packager to service the request and initializing routing of theABR media element to the new packager, the new packager beinginstantiated on a secure cloud infrastructure.
 3. The method as recitedin claim 2 further comprising authenticating the new packager.
 4. Themethod as recited in claim 3 further comprising populating the mediarouting database with at least one of an availability of bandwidth,availability of storage, content currently served, and processingresources at respective packagers.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1further comprising a first service manifest controller of the pluralityof service manifest controllers exchanging summary service manifestswith a second service manifest controller in one of a different regionof a same provider and a region operated by a different provider.
 6. Themethod as recited in claim 1 wherein the directive is a mandatory directthat must be met.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprisingproviding, in the directive, at least one of constraints on a stream;general information related to a channel, and guidance on how to route astream.
 8. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising providingconstraints in the directive on at least one of media catalog routing,channel routing, adaptive transcoding, adaptive packaging, upload andCDN delivery, content protection, entitlements and ad insertion,recording and storage.
 9. The method as recited in claim 1 furthercomprising signing at least a portion of the service manifest.
 10. Themethod as recited in claim 1 further comprising distributing channelanalytics in real-time using a routing protocol.
 11. The method asrecited in claim 10 further comprising, responsive to determining thatan update has been made in channel analytics, updating routing of ABRmedia elements.
 12. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the mediarouting database comprises ABR channels and an ABR media catalog.
 13. Asystem for distributing control of adaptive bitrate (ABR) mediadistribution and delivery, the system comprising: a plurality ofpackagers in a region, each of the plurality of packagers comprising aprocessor and a memory; and a plurality of service manifest controllerscoupled to provide service manifests to the plurality of packagers, afirst service manifest of the service manifests comprising a directivefor packagers and packager information, the first service manifest beingassociated with an ABR media element that comprises at least one of achannel, a channel bundle and a Video-on-Demand catalog; wherein apackager of the plurality of packagers, responsive to receiving, fromthe client device, a request for media contained in the ABR mediaelement, determines a best packager of the plurality of packagers topackage the ABR media element based on a media routing database and aconstraint contained in the directive and initiates routing of the ABRmedia element to the best packager for packaging and delivery of themedia to the client device and further wherein a given packager makes achange to the service manifest and documents the change in a packagerelement of the service manifest.
 14. The system as recited in claim 13wherein a service manifest controller of the plurality of servicemanifest controllers is coupled to create the service manifestassociated with the ABR media element responsive to initial ingestion ofthe ABR media element, the service manifest comprising a directiveelement that provides the constraint.
 15. The system as recited in claim13 wherein the system is further coupled to distribute channel analyticsin real-time using a routing protocol.
 16. The system as recited inclaim 15 wherein the system is further coupled to update routing of ABRmedia elements across the plurality of packagers in response toreceiving an update in channel analytics.
 17. The system as recited inclaim 16 wherein the system is further coupled to dynamicallyinstantiate a new packager to meet one of updated channel analytics andconstraints that cannot be met.
 18. The system as recited in claim 13wherein the media routing database comprises ABR channels and an ABRmedia catalog.
 19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having asequence of program instructions which, when executed by a processor,perform a method of distributing control of adaptive bitrate (ABR) mediadistribution and delivery in a network, the method comprising: receivingservice manifests from a service manifest controller, a first servicemanifest of the service manifests comprising a directive for packagersand packager information, the first service manifest being associatedwith an ABR media element that comprises at least one of a channel, achannel bundle and a Video-on-Demand catalog; responsive to receiving,from a client device, a request for media contained in the ABR mediaelement, determining, based on a media routing database and a constraintcontained in the directive, a best packager of a plurality of packagersto package the ABR media element; initiating routing of the ABR mediaelement to the best packager for packaging and delivery of the media tothe client device; and making a change to the service manifest at agiven packager and documenting the change in a packager element of theservice manifest.